Laundry or dry cleaning machine



Sept. 29, 1936. v E. A. BOERNER 2,055,679

LAUNDRY OR DRY CLEANING MACHINE Filed Sept. 1, 1934 5 Sheets-Sheet l f r6d IN VENTOR. Edward 4, 500mm" l I AORN.

Sept. 29, 1936. E. A. BOERNER LAUNDRY OR DRY CLEANING MACHINE FiledSept. 1, 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Edward A. five/Aer Sept. 29,1936.

E. A. BOERNER LAUNDRY OR DRY CLEANING MACHINE Filed Sept. 1, 1954 3Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. id/mare? 4. fiber/WW 0609/ ATTORNEY.

fig 9 Patented Sept. 29, 1 936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 3 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in combinationlaundry and dry cleaning apparatus.

One object of the invention is to provide an improved dry cleaning andlaundry machine which is particularly adapted for use by smalllaundries.

An important object of the invention is to combine a large rotarywasher, a centrifugal exlO tractor, and a smaller washer into a singleframework, and to provide means for driving all three units from asingle power unit with means for selectively driving the individualunits, whereby all of the units may be operated individually ortogether.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved mounting for arotatable extractor which is so constructed that the operator may evenlydistribute clothes within the rotating member, whereby the centipetaland centrifugal forces are balanced, which prevents creeping of thedevice across the floor when said member is rotating, at high speeds;this mounting also eliminates necessity of dynamically balancing saidmember, whereby simplicity and inexpensiveness of manufacture isincreased.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved drivingmechanism for the extractor which includes a pair of friction wheels,one

of which is movable with relation to the other and having a foot pedalconnected thereto, whereby the operator may readily control the speed,of the extractor by merely depressing and releasing said pedal.

Still another object of the invention is to provide improved means fordriving the revolving drum in a rotary washing machine, which includesautomatic means for intermittently reversing the rotation of said drum.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improvedlaundry and dry cleaning machine which includes, a pair of washing unitsand a centrifugal extractor, whereby the complete operation for drycleaning or wet cleaning, may be accomplished by the one machine,

thereby saving time and expense as well as making for convenience.

A construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafterdescribed, together with other features of the invention.

The invention will be more readily understood from a reading of thefollowing specification and by reference to the accompanying drawings,in which an example of the invention is shown, and

wherein:

Figure 1 is a front elevation of a combination laundry and dry cleaningmachine, constructed in accordance with the invention,

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same,

Figure 3 is a plan view showing the interior of 5 the laundry washers,

Figure 4 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view, taken on line 5-4 ofFig. 3,

Figure 5 is a sectional detail of the drive mechanism for one of therotary washers, 0

Figure 6 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view of the drivemechanism for one of the washers,

Figure 6a is a longitudinal, vertical, sectional View taken on line Ei6of Fig. 6,

Figure '7 is a View similar to Fig. 6 showing the 15 control fork swungto the left to rotate the washer shaft in a clockwise direction,

Figure 8 is a View similar to Fig. 7 with the fork swung to the right torotate the washer shaft in a counterclockwise direction, 20

Figure 9 is a detail of the sliding clutch memher which is slid by theswinging of the fork,

Figure 10 is a plan view of drive for the extractor,

Figure 11 is an enlarged transverse, sectional 25 view of the extractorbasket mounting,

Figure 12 is a horizontal, cross-sectional view, taken on the lineI2--|2 of Fig. 11,

Figure 13 is an enlarged elevation of the friction drive for theextractor, and 3 Figure 14 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken onthe line MI4 of Fig. 13.

In the drawings, the numeral l0 designates a frame, preferablyconstructed of metal, or other suitable material. Within this frame, Imount a large rotary washer l l, a centrifugal extractor l2, .and asmall rotary washer l3. These three units are all complete in themselvesbut are preferably secured to each other, whereby an integral structureis produced. It is preferable also to mount 40 the extractor between thetwo washers.

The washers H and iii are similarly constructed except for size and maybe of any ordinary design. I have shown each washer as comprising anouter circular casing I4 having 45 the usual sliding door l5. Within thecasing, a perforated drum I6 is mounted on a rotatable shaft Hi. In drycleaning, the clothes are placed in the drum of one of the washers II,and the cleaning solvent entered into the casing. As the 50 drumrotates, the clothes become thoroughly saturated and are cleaned in theusual way. The cleaned clothes are then placed in the extractor and thesolvent removed therefrom by centrifugal action, as will be hereinafterexplained. 55

In some cases it has been found necessary and desirable to first washthe clothes before cleaning them with the solvent. For this purpose thewasher i3 is employed. The clothes are placed in the rotating drum andthe water and soap .suds entered into the casing. Rotation of the drumthoroughly washes the clothes, as is now the usual practice. The clothesare then placed in the extractor where the water is removed, after whichsaid clothes go through the dry cleaning operation, as will beexplained. It is pointed out that since the washers H and i3 are exactlythe same, it would be possible to use either one for washing or for thedry cleaning solvent, depending on the work to be done. In other words,if the operator had a large amount of washing to be done the largewasher ll could be employed for this purpose, while the small washer l3could be used for the dry cleaning.

From the above, it is obvious that a most complete and inexpensiveapparatus is provided for purposes of dry cleaning clothes. In smalllaundries, the expense of a dry cleaning unit has been too great andtherefore most small laundries send any dry cleaning work to largecleaning establishments. With this unit, however, they can inexpensivelyand readily do this work. The provision of the three units combined in asingle frame make for simple and less handling of the clothes beingcleaned and it will be seen that the labor will be lessened and muchtime saved.

For driving the units, a main drive shaft l8 extends longitudinally ofthe frame it at the lower rear end thereof. This shaft is suitablysupported in bearings i9 carried by the frame It and has a drive pulley29 (Figs. 1 and 10) secured thereto near one end thereof. An endlessbelt 2i passes around this pulley and also around .a pulley 22 securedon the shaft of an electric motor 23, whereby the pulley 2e and driveshaft 58 are rotated by the motor. Both the washers H and I3 and theextractor 52 are driven from this main drive shaft, as will beexplained.

For transmitting motion from the shaft IE to the washers l l and I3,said shaft is provided with a pulley 24 at each outer end. Since thedriving mechanisms of the washers I E and iii are exactly alike, it isbelieved a description of one will suffice. Each pulley 24 has a drivingconnection through an endless belt 25, with a pulley 26 (Figs. 2 and 5)mounted on a stub shaft 2? of a reduction gearing 28. Thus, it is seenthat motion from the motor 23 is transmitted through the pulleys 22, 21,24, and 25 to the gearing 28.

A shaft 29 extends forwardly of the frame from the reduction gearing at.a right angle to the shaft 21 and the forward end of said shaft extendsthrough a gear housing 39, shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 6a, whichcontains the main drive mechanism for the washer drum iii.

A pair of pinions 3| and 32 are loosely mounted on opposite ends of theshaft 29 within the housing 39 and these pinions are in constant meshwith an enlarged bevel gear 33 which is secured to the shaft ll of thewasher drum E6. The pinions are provided with clutching members 3i and32 made integral therewith and extending inwardly toward the center ofthe casing 353. It is obvious that the shaft 29 rotates through thepinions and their clutching members without transmitting motion thereto.

For driving the pinions, a sliding clutch collar 34 is keyed on theshaft 29 between the pinions and is provided with clutching teeth 35 oneach end thereof. By observing Fig. 6a, it will be seen that by slidingthe collar 34 either to the right or left, the teeth 35 will engage oneof the clutching members 3! or 32 of the pinions 3| and 32. Since thecollar is keyed on the shaft 29, motion will be transmitted from theshaft to one of the pinions, depending on which way the collar is slid.The collar is of such length that when positioned midway between thepinions its teeth will not engage either of the clutching members andthe parts are in a neutral position.

For shifting the collar from one pinion to another, I provide a forkedmember 36 which engages between two flanges 34' on the collar 34. Thelower end of the member is mounted on a pin 36 to the wall of thehousing (Fig. 6), whereby the upper end of said fork may be swung. It isobvious that when said fork-ed member is swung the collar is slid on theshaft 2Q. Normally the parts are in a neutral position, with the forkedmember vertical in the housing. Theparts are held so by a pair ofoppositely disposed coiled springs 3? which bear against opposite sidesof a T-shaped crank 38 which is pivotally mounted in the housing abovethe forked member 36. The crank 38 has a slot 39 in the lower end of itsdepending leg and this slot engages a pin 49 on the upper end of themember 36. So long as the parts are in .a neutral position, the springs3?, being of equal pressure, hold the same in such position. When theforked member is swung, however, the engagement of the pin 4t, in theslot 39 will swing the lower end of the T-shaped crank, whereby thesprings are thrown off-center (Figs. '7 and 8) and the teeth 35 of thecollar 34 will be engaged with the clutching member of one of thepinions.

For swinging the forked member from side to side, I provide a travelingcollar 4| which is threaded on a rotatable screw 42. The collar extendsthrough a slot 43 in the forked member near the lower end thereof andhas lugs 44 extending upwardly therefrom. The collar is only slightlysmaller than the opening 43, so that the lugs 44 cannot pass throughsaid opening but will strike the member 35. Thus, when the screw 42 isrotated, the collar 4i will travel therealong. One of the lugs 44strikes the member 36 and swings the same to one side, or the other,depending on the direction of rotation of the screw 42.

For driving the screw 42, I provide a gear 45 which is made integralwith the pinion 3 I, whereby it is loosely mounted on the shaft 29. Thisgear is in constant mesh with a gear 46 secured to the shaft of thescrew 42. Whenever the pinion Sl is rotated, the screw 42 is rotated tocause the traveling collar 4! to swing the member 36.

For locking the parts against operation, the member 35 has an opening 36in its central portion. This opening registers with an opening 34 in thehousing 30 and a lock bar 41 is entered into these two openings, wherebythe forked member is held against movement.

Assuming that the parts are in a neutral locked position, the bar 4? isfirst removed and the shaft 29 is rotated. The forked member 35, instarting, is swung past center by a manually operated dog 48 which ispivoted on top of the housing above the crank. This dog has pins 49depending through openings BE in the housing and the lower ends of thepins bear against the arms of the crank 38. Equalizer springs 51surround the pins and serve to hold the dog in an upright, neutralposition. In starting the dog 48 is swung and this swings crank 38 whichin turn swings the forked member 36 to slide the collar 34. Assumingthat the clutch is slid to the right (Figure '7) it will be seen thatthe pinion 32 is driven by the shaft 29, whereby the main bevel gear 33and washer drum I6 is rotated in a clockwise direction.

The other pinion 3|, being loose on the shaft and in constant mesh withthe main bevel gear is driven by said gear 33 in an opposite directionbecause it is on the opposite side thereof. Therefore, the pinion 3|drives the screw 42 through the gears 45 and 46, whereby the collar 4|is moved to the left on the screw (Figure 7). When the lug 44 engagesthe forked member 35, it will swing the member to the left. As soon asthe member moves slightly off-center the springs 36 serve to snap itover so that the collar 34 engages the clutching member of the pinion3|. It is pointed out that the lugs are a suflicient distance apart topermit the forked member to be swung in this way by the springs.

As soon as the pinion 3| is driven by the shaft 29 then the main bevelgear 38 is rotated in an opposite direction. The screw 42 is alsorotated in an opposite direction, whereby the traveling collar 4| ismoved to the right (Fig. 8). As soon as this collar swings the member 36slightly offcenter, then the springs swing said member so that theclutching collar 34 engages the other pinion 32. It is obvious that theaction is entirely automatic and so long as the shaft 29 is rotated, thealternate rotation of the drum I6 is continued. When it is desired tostop the mechanism the bar l'i is pushed through the opening 36 and asthe forked member 36 swings from one position to another, said bar willengage in the opening 36' to stop the member in a neutral position.

It is again pointed out that the drive mechanism for both washers H andI3 is exactly alike and thus it will be seen that each washer is drivenfrom the main drive shaft IS. The extractor I2 is positioned between thewashers in the frame I and comprises a casing 55 (Fig. 4) in which arotatable basket 56 for receiving the clothes is mounted. In operation,the wet clothes are placed in the basket and said basket is rotated at ahigh speed, whereby the centrifugal action will whirl the liquid fromthe clothes.

The particular mounting of the extractor basket is an important featureof the invention and is clearly shown in Fig. 11. A vertical operatingshaft 51 extends upwardly through the central portion of the bottom ofthe extractor casing 55 and this shaft has its lower end journaled in abearing box 58 (Fig. 13) secured to the frame Ill. The upper end of theshaft is squared and is received by a socket 59 provided in a shank 60depending from a driving cone 6|, whereby rotation of the shaft willrotate the cone.

The cone 6| is provided with teeth or projections 62 radiating from itsapex said apex being formed with a concaved seat 63 therein. The lowerend of the cone is rounded to seat within a concaved seat 63 formed atthe upper end of a vertically extending, cylindrical casting 64. Thelower end of the casting encases or encircles the upper end of the shaft51 and shank 6|. The shaft and shank are disposed axially within thecasting and the diameter of the latter is such that an annular space isprovided around said shank and shaft. This casting has its lower endsecured to the bottom of the extractor basket.

The flanges 64 at the upper end of the casting are fastened to theoutwardly extending flange 65 at the lower end of a second cone 65. Thissecond cone has internal teeth or projections 66 which conform to theteeth 62 of the driving cone 6 I. The cone 65 is provided with aninternal ball 61 at its upper end'and this ball rests in the concavedseat 63 at the upper end of the cone 6|. It is pointed out that there isa space between the teeth 62 and teeth 66, as shown in Fig. 12, wherebya wobbling or rocking of the cone 65 on the cone 6| is possible. Sincethe basket 56 is secured to the casting 64, which in turn is fastened tothe cone 65, it is obvious that the basket is suspended from the apex ofthe cone 6| and may undergo a rocking movement with relation thereto.the basket 55 will be rotated through the medium of the cones 6| and 65.Since the basket is free to Wobble it is not necessary to dynamicallybalance the basket, as is the case when the basket is rigid with thedrive shaft. By distributing the clothes evenly within the basket 56,the centipetal and centrifugal forces are balanced when the basket isrotated, and a smoother operation is had.

Further, the balance obtained by the suspen sion mounting preventswalking or creeping of the frame l5 over the floor, when the extractoris operating at high speeds.

For driving the shaft 5'! to drive the basket 56, I provide a reductiongearing 68 (Fig. 10) midway of the main drive shaft l8. This gearing hasa driven shaft 69 extending forwardly of the frame H! from the shaft andthis shaft has a friction disk l0 mounted on its forward end. This diskis provided with a sump ll at its central portion (Fig. 13) and isarranged to be engaged by a second driving disk I2 which is keyed toslide on the vertical shaft 51.

The disk i2 is provided with a reduced portion 73 at its lower end and acollar 14 is positioned around this portion. A foot lever 15 which ishinged at its rear end in ears 15 on the frame If), is pivoted to thecollar, and it is obvious by observing Fig. 13, that by depressing theforward end of the foot lever the collar 14 and disk 12 are moveddownwardly, whereby said disk is moved toward the outer periphery of thedisk E6. The further out toward the periphery of the disk 10 that thedisk 12 is moved, the faster the shaft 51 is rotated.

As the foot lever is released a fiat spring 15 will move the foot leverupwardly, whereby the collar and disk 12 move upwardly. When said disk12 moves opposite the sump H in the disk 16, no motion is transmittedthrough the disks and the rotation of the shaft is stopped, therebystopping rotation of the basket 51. For immediately stopping therotation of the basket and preventing its momentum carrying it aroundafter the disks have been disengaged, a brake disk 18 is provided on thelower end of the basket casing flange 55. This disk is engaged by abrake fabric or lining 19 at the upper end of the disk 12 (Fig. 13). Thebrake is so positioned that when the disks l2 and 10 are disengaged, thebrake is applied to immediately stop the extractor basket 56.

From the foregoing, it is obvious that the speed of rotation of thebasket is readily and easily controlled by the foot lever. Theparticular suspension mounting of the basket 56 provides for a smootheroperation, while the entire unit, which is the combination of the tworotary washers with the extractor, not only makes for compactness, butalso provides for a great saving When the shaft 51 is rotated;

of time when in use, as well as the necessary machines are incorporatedin a single unit.

Since the washers II and I3 are exactly alike, it is obvious that thedevice could be operated with a single washer if desired, the otherwasher being entirely eliminated.

The description which has been given recites more or less detail of aparticular embodiment of the invention, which is set forth as new anduseful; however, I desire it understood that the invention is notlimited to such exact details of construction, because it is manifestthat changes and modifications may be made, within the scope of theappended claims, without departing from the spirit of the invention,

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A laundry apparatus comprising, a frame, an extractor containermounted in the frame, a rotatable basket mounted within the extractor ona vertical drive shaft, a conical toothed member at the upper end of theshaft, a second internally toothed conical member arranged to fit overthe first member and connected to the basket, the teeth of the membersfitting loosely, so that the basket may rock and undergo a limitedlateral movement on its mounting, and means for rotating the basket atvarious speeds.

2. A laundry apparatus comprising, a frame,

an extractor container mounted in the frame, a drive shaft extendingupwardly within the extractor,- a basket suspended from the upper end ofthe shaft and having an internally toothed conical member, a secondconical toothed member arranged to fit in said first member, the teethof the members fitting loosely, so that the basket is free to undergo arocking movement thereon, drive means at the lower end of said shaft forrotating the same, and manually oper ated means for controlling thedrive mechanism to vary the speed of rotation of the shaft.

3. A laundry apparatus comprising, a frame, an extractor containermounted in the frame, a drive shaft extending upwardly within theextractor, a conical toothed member at the upper end of the shaft andhaving a concaved seat at its upper end, a second internally toothedconical member arranged to fit over the first member and having a convexpart interiorly thereof arranged to fit in the concaved seat of thefirst member, whereby motion is transmitted fom one member to the other,and a basket for receiving wet clothes connected to and suspended fromthe second member, the teeth of the members fitting loosely, so that thebasket may undergo a limited lateral movement, and means for rotatingthe shaft to rotate the basket.

EDWARD A. BOERNER.

